System and method for funding a collective account by use of an electronic tag

ABSTRACT

A system and method for funding a collective account via aggregating usage of electronic tags is disclosed. The system and method promotes the use of electronic tags, and the funding of collective accounts that may be associated with charitable or other philanthropic causes. Further benefits may be realized by replenishing the prefunded account that serves as the source of funds for the electronic tag to an affinity account that also benefits the charitable or other philanthropic cause.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the funding of collective accountsthrough the use of electronic tags (“tag” or “tags”). More specifically,the invention relates to systems and methods for funding a collectiveaccount that may be used for a variety of purposes, such as makingcharitable contributions or otherwise contributing to causes, based ontag usage and the “float” of a prefunded account associated with a tag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic tags are used today to conduct various financialtransactions. For instance, the Mobil® division of ExxonMobilCorporation sponsors a program called SPEEDPASS® whereby a customer canpurchase gas and other goods and services by activating a system with atag containing a transponder, where the tag is associated with somesource of the customer's funds which are used to pay for the purchase.The tag may be kept on a keyring, and is waved in front of a detector toactivate the system.

Another popular, rapidly growing use of electronic tags is in ElectronicToll Collection (“ETC”) systems including E-Z PASS,® GEORGIA CRUISECARD,® SUNPASS,® EPASS,® and FASTRAK,® among others, which allow amotorist to electronically charge a toll for using certain roadwayswithout having to physically stop at a tollbooth to pay the toll. ETCsystems are a part of the technology known as Intelligent TransportationSystems (“ITS”) fostered by the Intelligent Transportation Society ofAmerica (“ITSA”), a society composed of private and public members whichwas mandated by the United States Congress in the Intermodal SurfaceTransportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (“ISTEA”) to coordinate thedevelopment and deployment of intelligent transportation systems in theUnited States. ETC systems enhance the safety, capacity, and efficiencyof the tollway systems in this country, as well as improve customerservice and satisfaction. In addition, ETC systems improve air qualityby reducing the number of vehicles which sit at idle speed attollbooths.

The users of these tags generally associate a prefunded account to serveas a source of funds to pay for charges made with their tags, where theprefunded account balance is referred to as the “float.” These prefundedaccounts are maintained by the ETC system operator, who invests theaccount balances and makes a profit off this “float.” The user mayautomatically replenish the prefunded account by instructing the systemto charge additional “float” to an individual checking, savings, orcredit card account or other source of funds that is associated with thetag when the prefunded account balance reaches a low limit, or the usermay manually replenish the prefunded account balance.

ETC systems operate by detecting some tag identification informationassociated with the tag using some type of sensor as the motorist passesthrough a tollbooth or otherwise activates the sensor and determiningwhich prefunded account is associated with that tag. Tag identificationinformation may be contained in bar coded labels, which are placed onthe vehicle and detected by laser scanners at the tollbooth.Alternatively, tag identification information may be transmitted via anRF or IR or other type of transponder located in the tag, where theemitted signal is read by a reader/antenna located at the tollbooth.Often the tags are intended to be attached to the motorist's frontwindshield or side window by some type of adhesive, and are, for themost part, contained in generic plastic casings which many considerunattractive to display.

When the tag identification information is detected by a scanner orreader/antenna at a tollbooth, the prefunded account associated withthat tag is debited the amount of the corresponding toll or charge.Annual toll revenues for the nation's toll roads which use ETC systemseasily exceed one billion dollars a year,¹ so enrollment of users in thenation's ETC systems contemplates a significant “float” potentially tobe held by ETC systems operators.¹ According to data compiled during the years of 1996 through 1999 bythe ETTM, a component of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).See www.ettm.com/usafac.html.

Some potential ETC users currently do not enroll in the systems becausethey do not want to leave their money in the prefunded account wherethey lose the use of the account balance, and where they are committedto spending the prefunded account balance with the ETC system operator.Further, as noted, the tags currently used are considered plain andunattractive, which may lead some motorists not to mount the tags ontheir windshields, creating a safety hazard as those motorists fumble tofind the tag to pay the toll.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method and system of the invention overcomes these problems of theprior art, and adds an incentive for potential users to sign up for andto use ETC tag systems. As well, the invention provides ETC systemsoperators an incentive to make charitable and other contributions basedon the users' tag usage and “float.”

It is feature of the invention to provide a method and system forfunding a collective account with a reward based either on aggregate tagusage of a plurality of tags associated with that collective account oron the aggregate of prefunded account balances for a plurality ofprefunded accounts associated with the collective account.

It is another feature of the invention to provide an incentive forpotential users of electronic tag systems to open and prefund accountswith electronic tag system operators.

It is yet another feature of the invention to facilitate a method forelectronic tag systems operators to make charitable and other financialcontributions.

It is yet another feature of the invention to provide an electronic tagthat will increase public awareness of charitable or other political oreducational causes.

It is yet another feature of the invention to facilitate the earning ofrewards in a loyalty program sponsored by or otherwise associated with afor-profit or retail program, where the tag is associated with anindividual account that is associated with the loyalty program.

It is another feature of the invention to provide an additional benefitto holders of collective accounts by prefunding accounts with individualaccounts that are associated with and benefit the holders of thecollective accounts through affinity programs.

It is another feature of the invention to encourage use of ETC systemsby motorists and thereby benefiting the environment.

It is yet another feature of the invention to increase safety at tollbooths by providing an electronic tag that motorists will want toinstall on their windshields.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method and system for funding acollective account comprising a plurality of tags and prefunded accountsassociated with those tags, associating the tags or the “float” of theprefunded accounts to the collective account, aggregating either the tagusage or the prefunded account balances, calculating a reward based onthe aggregate tag usage or prefunded account balances, and funding thereward to the collective account. The funds in the collective accountmay be used for a variety of purposes, such as making charitablecontributions, funding political campaigns, or making contributions toreligious or civic groups or educational institutions.

Another aspect of the invention relates to decorating a tag with asymbol, name, or color scheme of the target organization. Not only doessuch decoration increase public awareness of the tagholder's chosencause, but it also increases the likelihood that the user (if amotorist) installs the tag on the windshield of the vehicle whichincreases highway safety by reducing motorist distraction as he or shefumbles to locate the tag as he or she approaches the toll booth.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method and system forassociating a prefunded account for a tag with an individual accountthat is itself associated with a loyalty program, and increasing creditsin the loyalty program through use of the electronic tag. These loyaltyprogram credits may inure to the benefit of the tagholder, as forexample where the individual account amasses cash bonuses or frequentflyer miles upon individual account usage. Alternatively, the loyaltyprogram benefits may inure to a charitable or other organization, aswhere the individual account is an affinity account that makes acontribution to a chosen card based on individual account usage.Further, an organization that is the beneficiary of both an affinityprogram associated with an individual account associated with a tag andis also the holder of a collective account associated with the same tagmay receive double benefits from tag usage.

As used in this specification, the terms “tag” and “tags” refer to anyknown or later developed device or object, associated in some manner toa source of funds, that may be used to activate a system forautomatically making purchases of goods or services and charge thepurchase of those goods or services to the associated source of funds.The associated source of funds may itself be a prefunded account, andmay also be associated with at least one other source of funds, as anindividual account, to replenish the prefunded account balance.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with thefollowing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numerals.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of the invention illustrating aplurality of tags each associated with an individual account, aprefunded account, and a collective account.

FIG. 2 is a flowscheme of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowscheme of an alternative embodiment of the invention

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a computer-based system for funding acollective account.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a method and system for funding acollective account through the use of electronic tags, or throughprofits made off the “float” of the prefunded accounts associated withthose tags. One embodiment of the invention may comprise associatingeach of a plurality of tags to a prefunded account and a collectiveaccount, or alternatively associating the prefunded account directly tothe collective account. The invention further comprises aggregating tagusage for all associated tags in the collective account. A reward may becalculated based on the aggregate tag usage for all tags associated withthe collective account and the reward credited to the collectiveaccount, thus providing an incentive for tagholders to increase theiruse of ETC systems. The above steps can be accomplished in real time oron a periodic basis. The funds in the collective account may be used fora variety of purposes as, for example, funding of charitable, religious,political, or educational institutions. Individual tagholders may bemembers of the organization that is the holder of the collectiveaccount.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the reward to thecollective account may be calculated based on the aggregate prefundedaccount balances for all prefunded accounts associated with thecollective account, thus providing an incentive for tagholders toincrease the “float” amounts kept in their prefunded accounts.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system operator mayestablish a number of collective accounts and designate each collectiveaccount for a particular purpose as an environmental purpose, charitablepurpose, etc. Tagholders may associate all or a portion of theirprefunded accounts and/or tag usage to one or more collective accounts.In this embodiment, it is not necessary that tagholders be members ofany organization that is the holder of the collective account, and asingle tagholder may associate his or her prefunded account and/or tagusage in percentages to multiple collective accounts.

Tagholders may be issued periodic reporting statements detailing thecontributions made in relation to the association of their prefundedaccounts and/or tags to collective accounts.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a computer-based systemfor funding a collective account, wherein a tag is associated withprefunded and collective accounts. The system may include a hostcomputer capable of programmed response and software capable ofmonitoring individual tag usage or prefunded account balances,aggregating tag usage or prefunded account balances, and calculating abonus based on the aggregate tag usage or prefunded account balances ofall prefunded accounts associated with a particular collective account.The computer may perform other functions as generating statements of theprefunded accounts to the tagholders and statements of the collectiveaccount to the holder of the collective account, and may also be capableof automatically initiating a funds transfer from an individual accountassociated with the tag and/or prefunded account to replenish theprefunded account based upon predetermined conditions, such as lowprefunded account balance. In addition, a plurality of remote computersmay be networked or otherwise capable of communicating with the hostcomputer, where the remote computers are associated with reader/antennasat tollbooths or other sites where a tag may be used to purchase a goodor service. The reader/antennas may be capable of detecting tagidentification information and transmitting the tag identificationinformation along with the charge to the remote computers, which canthen transmit the information to the host computer to charge theassociated prefunded account for that tag. Alternatively, remotecomputers may access the host computer for tag identificationinformation, and identify the prefunded account before transmission ofthe charge information to the host computer.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tag and prefunded accountmay be associated with an individual account used as a source of fundsto replenish the prefunded account based on fulfillment of predeterminedconditions, as for example a predetermined low balance amount in theprefunded account. The individual account may be an affinity account,where an organization receives a benefit from use of the individualaccount. If the affinity organization is also the holder of thecollective account, that organization can realize a double benefit froma tagholder's use of the tag—both from the affinity program when theindividual account is used to fund the prefunded account, and again whenthe reward is calculated and awarded based on tag usage. In otherembodiments, the individual account may be associated with a loyaltyprogram, where benefits accrue directly to the tagholder upon use of theindividual account. In this scenario, increased tag usage benefits theholder of the collective account, and also causes increased needs toreplenish the prefunded account, which then benefits the tagholderdirectly by increased loyalty program credits.

The presence of an LED and/or LCD readout in the tag allows the user toview such information as remaining balance in his or her prefundedaccount or to receive and/or view messages transmitted from thereader/antenna. The tag may also have the ability to generate a soundthat indicates a successful detection by the reader/antenna or a lowprefunded account balance which might be a theme song associated withthe holder of the collective account, as for example the fight song of aselected university. The tag may have a communication port to allow itto communicate with other devices, as for example relaying trafficinformation received from the reader/antenna to a device capable ofreading and mapping out the relayed information within a vehicle or someremote or hard wired device.

The holder of the collective account can be an organization comprising aplurality of members. However, the tagholders are not necessarilymembers of the holder of the collective account, as the tagholders maydesignate different causes to receive the reward. The collective accountmay also comprise one or more sub-accounts, where each sub-account isdesignated for a different purpose.

The reward may be calculated in a number of ways. For example, thereward may be based on aggregate tag usage or aggregate “float” of theprefunded account balances associated with the collective accountcalculated over some period of time. Alternatively, the reward may becustomized by basing it on a comparison of aggregate tag usage oraggregate “float” of the prefunded account balances during a givenperiod to historic performance, where increased performance in the givenperiod results in a proportionately greater reward. Alternatively, aminimum performance standard may be set to achieve any reward to becredited to the collective account.

Although the invention is described in terms of electronic tagsassociated with prefunded accounts, collective accounts, and individualaccounts, this description is not intended to limit the invention but israther one embodiment as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of one embodiment of the inventionis detailed for funding a collective account 100 such as a charitablecontribution account. The invention comprises a plurality of tags 105 ₁through 105 _(n), each tag associated with at least one prefundedaccount 110 ₁ through 110 _(n). Also, each tag may be associated with acollective account 100, as selected by the tagholder. Alternatively,each prefunded account 110 _(n) may be associated directly with thecollective account 100, or each tag 105 _(n) may be associated withmultiple collective accounts (not shown). The invention furthercomprises aggregating the tag usage for at least some of the tagsassociated with the collective account 100, calculating a reward basedon the aggregate tag usage, and funding the collective account 100 withthe calculated reward. Alternatively, for tags associated with multiplecollective accounts, the tagholder may select the percentage of tagusage to be associated with each collective account. In otherembodiments, account balances of prefunded accounts 110 ₁ through 110_(n) may be aggregated for purposes of calculating the reward. The tagsand prefunded accounts may also be associated with individual accounts115 ₁ through 115 _(n), which may be used as a source of funds toreplenish the prefunded accounts 110 ₁ through 110 _(n) upon fulfillmentof a predetermined condition, as a low prefunded account balance.

A flowscheme of one embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2. At200, each tag is associated with some tag identification information,which could be detected in various manners as IR or RF transmissions orbar code scanners. At 210, each tag is associated with a prefundedaccount within the ETC system as well as at least one collectiveaccount. When the tag identification information is detected by areader/antenna during tag usage at 220, it is used by the ETC system toidentify the specific tag and associated prefunded account. The detectorcould detect signals emitted by a transponder located in the electronictag, as RF or IF signals, or alternatively the tag may comprise a barcode which is detectable by a sensor. Regardless of the form ofdetection, the ETC system debits the prefunded account associated withthe identified tag for the amount of the toll or purchase. Tag usage, orportion of tag usage, can be aggregated for each tag associated with thecollective account at 230. At 240, a bonus or reward can be calculatedbased on aggregate tag usage for a collective account, which is creditedto the collective account at 250.

A flowscheme of an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown inFIG. 3. At 300, each tag is associated with some tag identificationinformation, which could be detected in various manners as IR or RFtransmissions or bar code scanners. At 310, each tag is associated witha prefunded account within the ETC system as well as at least onecollective account. When the tag identification information is detectedby a reader/antenna during tag usage at 320, it is used by the ETCsystem to identify the specific tag and associated prefunded account.The detector could detect signals emitted by a transponder located inthe electronic tag, as RF or IF signals, or alternatively the tag maycomprise a bar code which is detectable by a sensor. Regardless of theform of detection, the ETC system debits the prefunded accountassociated with the identified tag for the amount of the toll orpurchase. On some periodic basis, prefunded account balances can beaggregated for each prefunded account associated directly with, orindirectly through a tag with, the collective account at 330. At 340, abonus or reward can be calculated based on aggregate prefunded accountbalances for a collective account, which is credited to the collectiveaccount at 350.

Referring to FIG. 4, one embodiment of a computer-based system forfunding a collective account is described. The ETC system may have ahost computer 400, a plurality of remote computers 410 ₁ through 410_(n), and a plurality of reader/antennas 420 ₁ through 420 _(n)associated with remote computers 410 ₁ through 410 _(n). The hostcomputer has a processor 460 capable of programmed response, and alsohas a storage unit 470, which may comprise a hard drive or othermagnetic, solid state or other storage media, for storing applications,data, operating system and other information.

Upon or anytime after tagholder enrollment with the ETC, searchableindexed computer files 430 ₁ through 430 _(n), are created by the hostcomputer processor 460 for each enrolled tagholder and stored in thehost computer storage 470. The files 430 ₁ through 430 _(n) may containsuch information as an individual tagholder's name, address, tagidentification information, prefunded account information, tag usage,and selected collective account(s). The files 430 ₁ through 430 _(n) mayalso contain information identifying individual accounts that may beused to replenish the prefunded account balances. Each account can beindexed by the tag identification information, name, and selectedcollective account. Also, files 480 ₁ through 480 _(n) may be created byprocessor 460 and stored in storage 470 containing information for aplurality of collective accounts.

A plurality of readers/antenna 420 ₁ through 420 _(n) may be located atremote locations from the host computer 400 at the sights where thetagholders use the tags to purchase goods or services. The tag cantransmit or is otherwise detectable to provide the tag identificationinformation. Each reader/antenna 420 _(n) may be associated with andcapable of communicating with a remote computer 410 _(n), where eachremote computer is capable of communicating with and transmittinginformation to and receiving information from the host computer 400. Inaddition, each local computer 410 _(n) may also have a processor capableof programmable response and storage capability.

When a tag is detected by the reader/antenna 420 _(n) for a purchase ofa good or a service, tag identification information can be recorded inthe local computer 410 _(n) along with the amount of the charge. Eitherin real time or on a periodic basis, the local computer 410 _(n) cancommunicate with the host computer 400 and transmit the detected tagidentification information along with the associated charge amount.Using the tag identification information, the host computer 400 canaccess the file 430 _(n) indexed by that tag identification information,and debit the prefunded account associated with that file for the chargeamount.

Either in real time or on a periodic basis, the processor 460 of thehost computer 400 can access all tags and/or prefunded accounts that areassociated with a certain collective account 480 _(n) and eitheraggregate the total tag usage or the “float” of the prefunded accountbalances for the prefunded accounts associated with that collectiveaccount. A reward can be calculated based on these aggregates, and theprocessor 460 can initiate a funds transfer in an amount equal to thereward to the collective account 480 _(n).

The foregoing embodiments have been presented for the purpose ofillustration and description only and are not to be construed aslimiting the scope of the invention in any way. The scope of theinvention is to be determined from the claims appended hereto.

1. A method for attributing a reward to a collective account,comprising: associating a plurality of tags with at least one collectiveaccount; aggregating tag usage for at least one tag associated with atleast one collective account; calculating a reward based on theaggregate tag usage; and attributing the reward to at least onecollective account.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one tagis held by at least one tagholder who is a member of at least oneorganization, and wherein the at least one organization is the holder ofat least one collective account.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein atleast one collective account comprises a charitable account.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising distributing the reward from atleast one collective account to at least one other account.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the aggregating and calculating steps areperformed electronically in real time.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe aggregating and calculating steps are performed on a periodic basis.7. The method of claim 2, further comprising issuing a statement to eachtagholder reporting the reward amount attributed to at least onecollective account.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating areward based on aggregate tag usage further comprises: calculatinghistorical performance of the aggregate tag usage for at least one tagassociated with at least one collective account; calculating theaggregate tag usage for at least one tag associated with at least onecollective account for a first periodic basis; and calculating thereward based on a comparison of the historical performance of theaggregate tag usage for the at least one tag associated with at leastone collective account to the aggregate tag usage for the at least onetag associated with at least one collective account for the firstperiodic basis.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of thetags comprises an LED controllable via a tagholder.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the tags comprises an LCD controllablevia a tagholder.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of thetags comprises at least one communication port allowing the at least oneof the tags to communicate with other devices.
 12. The method of claim1, wherein at least one of the tags comprises a microprocessor.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tags comprises atransmitter.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tagsfurther comprise at least one of a smart card, a bar coded sticker, atransponder readable by a reader/antenna, or combinations thereof. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the tags operates inhalf duplex mode.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one ofthe tags operates in full duplex mode.
 17. The method of claim 2,wherein at least one of the tags comprises a sound generating device.18. The method of claim 17, wherein the sound generating devicegenerates a programmed sound generally associated with at least oneorganization.
 19. The method of claim 2, wherein at least oneorganization is at least one of a business organization, a tradeorganization, a political party, a religious organization, an athleticorganization, a professional society, an educational organization, acharitable organization, a fund-raising organization, and a governmentalorganization, or combinations thereof.
 20. The method of claim 2,wherein at least one tag is decorated with a symbol, name, and/or colorsgenerally associated with at least one organization.
 21. A method formaking charitable contributions, comprising: associating a plurality oftags with at least one collective account, wherein a charitableorganization is the holder of at least one collective account;aggregating tag usage for at least one of the tags associated with atleast one collective account; calculating a reward based on theaggregate tag usage; attributing the reward to at least one collectiveaccount; and distributing the reward to the charitable organization. 22.The method of claim 21, wherein the aggregating and calculating stepsare performed electronically in real time.
 23. The method of claim 21,further comprising: associating each tag with at least one prefundedaccount; maintaining at least one of the prefunded accounts; anddebiting at least one of the prefunded accounts in an amount related tothe value of purchases made using the associated tag.
 24. The method ofclaim 23, further comprising associating each prefunded account with atleast one individual account, wherein the account balance of theprefunded account is replenished from funds in the individual accountupon fulfillment of some predetermined condition.
 25. The method ofclaim 24, wherein at least one individual account is associated with atleast one loyalty program.
 26. A method for making charitablecontributions comprising: associating a plurality of tags with at leastone collective account; aggregating tag usage for at least one of thetags associated with at least one collective account; calculating areward based on the aggregate tag usage of at least one tag associatedwith at least one collective account on a first periodic basis; andattributing the reward to at least one charitable organization on asecond periodic basis.
 27. An automated, computer-based method formaking charitable contributions comprising: maintaining at least oneprefunded account that is associated with at least one tag; associatingat least one prefunded account with at least one collective account;aggregating tag usage for at least one tag associated with at least oneprefunded account, wherein the at least one prefunded account isassociated with at least one collective account; calculating a rewardbased on the aggregate tag usage; and attributing the reward to the atleast one organization, wherein the organization is the holder of the atleast one collective account.
 28. A system for managing tags used forfunding a collective account comprising: first associating means forassociating a tag with at least one prefunded account; secondassociating means for associating the tag with at least one collectiveaccount; calculating means for calculating a reward based on theaggregate tag usage of at least one tag associated with at least onecollective account; and distribution means for attributing the reward toat least one collective account.
 29. A computer-based system for fundinga collective account comprising: a plurality of tags; associating meansfor associating each tag to each of at least one prefunded account andat least one collective account; aggregating means for aggregating tagusage for at least one tag associated with at least one collectiveaccount; calculating means for calculating a reward based on aggregatetag usage; funding means for funding the at least one collective accountwith the calculated reward; and processing means for processing thecontent of the collective account.
 30. A method for attributing a rewardto a collective account comprising: maintaining prefunded accounts,wherein each prefunded account is associated with at least one of aplurality of tagholders; associating at least one of the prefundedaccounts with at least one collective account; aggregating the balancesof at least one prefunded account associated with at least onecollective account; calculating a reward based on the aggregateprefunded account balance; and attributing the reward to the at leastone collective account.
 31. The method in claim 30, wherein calculatinga reward based on the aggregate prefunded account balance furthercomprises: calculating historical performance of the aggregate prefundedaccount balance of at least one of the prefunded accounts associatedwith at least one collective account; calculating the aggregateprefunded account balance for at least one prefunded account associatedwith at least one collective account for a first periodic basis; andcalculating a reward based on a comparison of the historical performanceof the aggregate prefunded account balance for at least one prefundedaccount associated with at least one collective account to the aggregateof at least one prefunded account balance for at least one prefundedaccount associated with at least one collective account for the firstperiodic basis.
 32. A method for making charitable contributions,comprising: maintaining prefunded accounts for at least one of aplurality of tagholders, wherein at least one tagholder is a member ofat least one charitable organization; associating at least one of theprefunded accounts with at least one collective account; aggregating thebalance of at least one prefunded account associated with at least onecollective account; calculating a reward based on the aggregateprefunded account balances; attributing the reward to the at least onecollective account; and distributing the reward to the charitableorganization.
 33. A method for making charitable contributionscomprising: maintaining prefunded accounts, wherein each prefundedaccount is associated with at least one of a plurality of tagholders;associating at least one prefunded account with at least one collectiveaccount; aggregating the prefunded account balances for at least oneprefunded account associated with at least one collective account;calculating a reward based on the aggregate prefunded account balances;and attributing the reward to at least one charitable organization,wherein the charitable organization is the holder of at least onecollective account.
 34. A system for managing tags used for funding acollective account, comprising: first associating means for associatinga tag with at least one prefunded account; second associating means forassociating the tag with at least one collective account; aggregatingmeans for aggregating the balance of at least one of the prefundedaccounts associated with at least one collective account; calculatingmeans for calculating a reward based on the aggregate of the prefundedaccount balance; and attributing means for attributing the reward to theat least one collective account.
 35. A computer-based system for fundinga collective account comprising: a plurality of tags; first associatingmeans for associating each tag with a prefunded account; secondassociating means for associating each tag with at least one collectiveaccount; aggregating means for aggregating prefunded account balancesfor at least some of the prefunded accounts associated with at least onecollective account; calculating means for calculating a reward based onthe aggregate prefunded account balances; funding means for funding theat least one collective account with the calculated reward; andprocessing means for processing the content of at least one collectiveaccount.